Padlock display cards



Aug. 16, 1960 D. J. FOOTE ET AL PADLOCK DISPLAY CARDS Filed May 19, 1958 mlh.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I ENTOR:

By fii a 'a j A F'TORNEQS.

g. 15, 6 D. J. FOOTE ETAL 2,949,185

PADLOCK DISPLAY CARDS Filed May 19, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 ENTORS BY United States Patent PADLOCK DISPLAY CARDS Daniel J. Foote, WauWatosa, and Nathan 1.. Berkowitz,

Whitefish Bay, Wis., assignors to Master Lock Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed May '19, 1958, Ser. No. 736,312

2 Claims. (Cl. 20680) This invention relates to improvements in padlock display cards. 7

A conventional padlock includes a block-like body portion from an end of which an inverted U-shaped shackle projects. It is conventional practice to package padlocks in individual cartons or boxes, together with a pair of keys for the padlock. However, the carton conceals the padlock and keys, and without opening the carton or package the type and appearance of the padlock is not discernible. Should the padlock 'and keys be packaged in transparent flexible packaging material which is customarily heat sealed about the packaged articles, the enclosed padlock and keys cannot be examined and'tested by the prospective purchaser.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a padlock display card, foldable from a one-piece blank, which will provide an easel-like padlock and key receiving portion which will securely hold and retain the engaged padlock and keys in a manner so that they are completely visible to the prospective purchaser while attractively displayed on the 'dealers pegboard or in his counter bin area. i a

A further object of the invention is to provide a folde padlock display card arranged so that the lower portion of the card in its set up condition forms a triangular base provided with suitable recesses to removably receive the supported padlock and keys, together with a clinched bracket which engages the shackle portion of the mounted lock and also holds folded over portions of the display card together, the arrangement, while adequately displaying the engaged padlock and keys, adequately exposes the same for display and examination without complete disengagement of the articles'from the card.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a folding display card for padlocks and the like which is formed from a flat, one-piece blank whereby a number of the same may be compactly stacked for storage or transportation, but which are susceptible of easy and quick assemblage with the parts thereof being interlocked in the set up condition when the goods are mounted in the card for packing, shipping and ultimate display by the dealer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a foldable, one-piece display card for padlocks and the like which when set up is provided vw'th a triangular articlereceiving base portion whereby the display card may be stood upright or be mounted on a peg, hook or other means for the upright display of the supported articles.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a one-piece padlock display card which is scored and die cut to facilitate easy folding and gluing thereof, together with a metal bracket or clip which both engages the mounted padlock shackle and holds portions of the set up blank together, portions of the folded card which form the triangular base having recesses therein from which flaps are inwardly deflectable to support portions of the displayed articles and prevent undesired movement thereof. a

i i ce A further object of the invention is to provide a'padlock display card which, while securely retaining thereon the displayed padlock and keys, permits removal of, the latter for inspection and testing by a prospective customer without damage to the card or unauthorized complete detachment of the articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a padlock display card which, is of very simple construction, which is strong and durable, which securely mounts the displayed articles for shipment or display, which is unique and attractive in appearance, and which is well adapted for the purposes described.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved padlock display card, and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, in which the same ref erence characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the outstretched flat, onepiece blank from which the improved display card is folded or set up;

l ig. 2 is a side view of the padlock display card after it is initially folded upon itself on certain score lines with overlapping flap portions glued together, in which condition a plurality of theimproved display cards may be compactly stacked and stored prior to being adjusted for the mounting of articles thereon;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the set up display card with the triangular base portion folded out Wardly and certain flaps therein deflected inwardly from the condition of Fig. 2, prior to the mounting of the padlock and keys thereon and the insertion of the retaining metal clip or bracket;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the set up display card with a padlock and pair of keys mounted thereon, and also showing the key ring engaged within a slot and the metal clip or bracket engaging the padlock shackle and piercing and clamping together several folded-over walls of the card for retaining purposes;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the set up display card mounting a padlock and pair of ring-carried keys, a portion being broken away and in section to show a struc tural detail;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the showing in Fig. 5;

Fig 7 is a rear view of the Tset up card with the mounted padlock and keys thereon; and V Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the retaining clip or bracket prior to the insertion through layers of the card and clinched over.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will appear that the improved display card blank" from which the display card is folded, is of one piece and or rectangular outline. The material of the blank may be paperboard, cardboard, or any other similar suitable material. The numeralltl indicates that portion 'of-the blank which forms the upper rear panel of the setup card. Within an upper corner portion of the panel "10 IS a vertical slot 1 1 having enlargements 11 and 1-1", at its opposite ends, which slot ultimately accommodates a key ring. Connected to the lower transverse margin of the panel 10 by means of a scored or fold line 12 is a similar panel 13 which forms the upper rectilineal front wall of the display card when it is in its set up condition.

The panel'10, spaced above the fold line 12 is formed" with a slot 14 having an enlarged mid-portion and a similar slot 15 is formed in the upper portionqof the folded against the rear surface of the panel '13. This slot 14--15 in the set up display card alfords m an whereby the card may be mounted on a hook, peg or other supporting member. Also, the front panel 13 adjacent a lower corner portion and vertically aligned with the key ring slot 11 has cut therein a complementary key ring slot 16 having enlarged extremities 16 and 16". The numeral 17 indicates a padlock mounting section which, when the blank is in its set up condition, is folded angularly outwardly from the plane of the adjacent front panel 13. The lower margin of the front panel 13 has a rectangular tongue 18 intermediate its side margins and whose end portions are separated from side strap portions 19 of the section 17 by die cut lines of severance 20. The die cut lines of severance 20 also are continued in the section 17, as at 21, to separate from the strap portions 19 the end margins of an inwardly deflectable shelf 22 which is foldable on the section 17 along the fold line 23 which is interrupted intermediate its end by a U-shaped line of cut 24 to define a tab 25 which remains in the plane of the major portion of the section 17. The upper margins of the strap portions '19 are foldably secured to lower marginal portions of the front panel 13 on opposite sides of the rectangular tongue 18 by fold lines 26. In effect, the section 17 ultimately becomes a U-shaped section from the plane of which the tongue 18 may be deflected inwardly, as may the shelf 22 which is separated from the free margin of the tongue 18 by a line of cut 27. In one of the strap portions 19 there is formed by means of a U-shaped line of severance 28 a key supporting tongue 29 which may be deflected inwardly from the plane of its strap 19.

The numeral 30 indicates a rectangular bottom wall section which is foldably associated with the lower margin of the U-shaped section 17 by a scored line of fold 31, and said bottom section 3t) is also foldably associated with the inner transverse margin of a complementary rear wall section 32, by a transverse fold line 33. Adjacent a lower corner portion of the complementary rear wall section 32 and aligned with the key ring openings 11 and 16 is a similar key ring slot 34 having enlarged end portions 34 and 34".

The first step in the folding of the improved display card from the flat scored and die cut blank of Fig. l is illustrated in Fig. 2. Initially, the complementary rear wall 32 is folded on the score line 33 against the rear faces of the section 15 and flattened bottom section 30. Thereafter, the upper rear panel is folded downwardly on the score line 12 against the rear face of the front wall panel 13 and the upper portions of the sections 10 and 13 are joined by the application of a coating of adhesive 35 which tightly secures together the upper mutually folded portions of the panels 10 and 13, leaving the remaining depending portion of the folded-over upper rear panel in overlapping relation to the free marginal portion of the upwardly folded complementary, rear wall 32. In this condition the preliminarily folded and secured together blanks may be stacked, stored, or transported.

When, however, it is desired to completely set up the display card for the mounting thereon of a padlock and set of keys, it is merely necessary to take the folded blank of Fig. 2 and slide the free end of the complementary rear wall 32 upwardly in the space between the unsecured portions of the folded-over panels 10 and 13, which results in the bottom section 30 being extended outwardly at right angles to the plane of the rear wall 32, and the padlock mounting section 17 then assumes the angular position shown in Fig. 3. At this point, or subsequently, if desired, the clip or bracket 36 shown in detail in Fig. 8, may be utilized to anchor together the lower overlapped portions of the walls 13, 32 and 10, to thereby lock the card in its set up condition. At a point which coincides with the position of the midpart of the padlock shackle when the padlock is mounted on the card, the overlapped layers 13, 32 and 10 of the card are pierced by the tapered prong portion 37 of the bracket or clip 36. Said prong portion 37 is passed through all of the lapping layers of the card and is then bent over or clinched on the reverse side of the card, as is shown in Fig. 7, the prong portion of the clip being malleable or bendable for this purpose. The clippedtogether condition of the layers of the card should also be such that the various key ring slots 11, 16 and 34 coincide. With the bracket or clip 36 applied to the card as described, the leg 38 thereof will be parallel to the plane of the front wall 13 and will hear thereagainst, while the outwardly projecting flange 39 of the clip or bracket, having therein the enlarged circular aperture 40 will project outwardly at right angles to the clip portion 38.

To mount on the display card a padlock 41, the upwardly projecting shackle 42 of the padlock has one leg released and the shackle is inserted through the opening 40 in the clip flange 39 and then the shackle is locked into the body of the padlock. The shelf 22 which folds inwardly from the U-shaped opening in the padlock mounting section 17 of the card is arranged approximately in the position shown in Fig. 6, and the tongue 18 at the upper margin of the opening in the padlock mounting section 17 of the card is also deflected inwardly to about the position of Fig. 6. It should also be noted that the tab 25 will project upwardly from the lower margin of the opening in the section 17 in the plane of the stock thereadjacent. When the body of the padlock is then seated within the opening thus formed in the inclined padlock mounting section 17, the rear of the padlock may be frictionally engaged by the inwardly deflected tongue 18 and the bottom of the padlock will engage the stock of the section 17 forming the lower margin of the opening and the inner bottom portion of the padlock may also seat on the inwardly folded shelf 22. The padlock is further anchored within the opening in the padlock mounting section 17 by the upwardly projecting tab 25 which is of a size to snugly enter the key hole 43 in the bottom of the padlock.

A mounted padlock to be sold is customarily supplied with a pair of keys '44 mounted on a key ring 45. This key ring is forced through the coinciding key ring slots 11, 16 and 34 in the overlapped wall sections 10, 13 and 32 of the card, with the enlarged end portions of the slots accomodating the key ring. On the front face of the card the pair of keys depend from the key ring and their shank portions are inserted into the U-shaped opening 28 in the padlock mounting section 17 to one side of the padlock body opening. The tongue 29 is deflected inwardly from the margins of the opening 28 and the shanks of the keys may rest thereagainst, as shown in Fig. 6.

It will thus appear that when a padlock display card is completely set up, as in Fig. 3, and has mounted thereon a padlock and a pair of companion keys, the key ring and keys are firmly attached to the card against undesired removal, but by pulling the key ring out of the engaging slots therefor, the keys are available for use with the displayed padlock, if it is to be tested. The displayed padlock may, of course, have its body portion swung out from the pocket in which it seats in the card section 17 for inspection and operation by the removed keys, but the shackle of the padlock, unless the shackle is unlocked, remains engaged by the clip or bracket 36 so that the padlock cannot be readily removed or pilfered.

The clip or bracket 36, besides providing permanent anchorage for the padlock to prevent its undesired detachment from the card, serves to securely clip together overlapped wall portions of the display card to maintain the card in its set-up condition.

As was previously mentioned, the display cards in the condition of Fig. 2 may be stacked and compactly stored but are easily adjustable to the position of Fig. 3 for the mounting thereon of padlock and key sets. The card, with a padlock and set of keys mounted thereon, pro vides a convenient package for the padlock set and also is such that the dealer or retailer without any manipulations, may hang the padlock equipped display card on a peg board or station the same in an upright position in a counter bin or on a shelf, in which posi tion the card will attractively display the goods mounted thereon.

The unitary display card with its novel triangular mounting portion for padlock body and key shanks, is of unique appearance and eliminates the need for any plastic or other covering for the package, whereby the goods are fully visible to the prospective purchaser and may be manually examined and tested without danger of unauthorized removal of the goods from the display card. While the bracket or clip 36 serves a dual function of engaging a portion of the goods and clipping layers of the card together, it is also to be noted that the key ring, inserted through the coinciding key ring slots 11, 16 and 24, also serves to hold the overlapped layers of the card together.

The improved display card is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, is easy to set up, provides both a shipping package and display means for the engaged goods, and is well adapted for the purposes described.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A display package, comprising a card which includes a multi-layered panel having a hollow, triangular base section connected to a lower margin thereof, a clip extending through the layers of the panel medially of its side margins and securing the same together, said clip having a prong bent against the rear face of the panel, a leg parallel to and bearing against the front face of the panel and an apertured flange projecting forwardly of the front face of the panel and at right angles to its plane, there being a large opening in the inclined wall of the base section below saidclip and narrow opening in said inclined wall of the base section laterally of said large opening, the panel, above said narrow opening having a slot therein, a key ring removably engaging said panel slot and having keys depended therefrom whose shank portions are removably re- 6 ceived by said narrow opening, and a shackle-equipped padlock having its body portion removably seated in said large opening, the shackle of the padlock being extended through the apertured flange of the clip.

2. A package-forming display card, comprising foldably connected upper rear panel, front wall panel, .inclined pocket wall, bottom and complementary rear wall sections wherein the upper rear panel and front wall panels are folded upon themselves and the inclined pocket wall, bottom and complementary rear Wall sections are folded relative to one another to form a triangular base portion'extending forwardly of the lower margin of the front wall panel with the free margin of the rear wall section being interposed between portions of the front and rear wall panels, and a fastener extended through the lapping layers of the front and rear wall panels and the interposed portion of the rear Wall, the inclined pocket wall having an opening therein to provide a seat for the base of a shackle-equipped padlock to be displayed with margins of said pocket wall opening having inwardly deflectable tongues connected thereto to engage portions of a mounted padlock, the fastener being releasably engageable With a projecting shackle portion of the seated padlock, lapping layers of said card having registering slots therein for the removable reception of a key ring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 791,912 Jackson June 6, 1905 1,598,857 Fox et a1. Sept. 7, 1926 1,873,893 Jones Aug. 23, 1932 2,021,070 Levine Nov. 12, 1935 2,229,427 Tanner Jan. 21, 1941 2,472,532 Hellman June 7, 1949 2,854,135 Pentalone Sept. 30, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 539,776 Canada Apr. 23, 1957 

